Bihu Festival

 Bihu is the most significant cultural festival of Assam, celebrated with immense joy and fervor by people of all communities across the state. It marks the changing seasons and is deeply rooted in Assam’s agrarian lifestyle, reflecting the region's rich traditions and unity. 

🌾 Types of Bihu

Assam celebrates three distinct Bihu festivals, each associated with a different phase of the agricultural calendar: 

1. Bohag Bihu (Rongali Bihu) – April

This is the most widely celebrated Bihu, marking the Assamese New Year and the onset of spring. It typically falls on April 14th. The festival spans several days, each with unique customs: 

Goru Bihu: The first day is dedicated to cattle, where they are bathed, decorated, and honored for their role in agriculture.

Manuh Bihu: People take a ritual bath, wear new clothes, and seek blessings from elders.

Kutum Bihu: A day for visiting relatives and sharing meals.

Mela Bihu: Community fairs with cultural performances and competitions.

Sera Bihu: The final day marks the conclusion of the festivities with reflection and resolutions.  

2. Magh Bihu (Bhogali Bihu) – January

Celebrated in mid-January, this festival marks the end of the harvest season. It involves feasting, bonfires (Meji), and traditional games. People build temporary huts called Bhelaghars, where they spend the night before burning them the next morning to symbolize the end of the harvest.  

3. Kati Bihu (Kongali Bihu) – October

Observed in mid-October, Kati Bihu is a more somber festival, reflecting a time of scarcity between harvests. People light earthen lamps (saki) under the Tulsi plant and in fields to protect crops and ward off evil spirits. It's a time for prayers and rituals to ensure a good harvest.  

🎉 Cultural Significance

Bihu is not just a festival but a celebration of Assam's cultural identity. It brings together people from various communities, fostering unity and harmony. The festival is marked by traditional dances like Bihu Naas, music, feasts, and the exchange of gifts such as the Gamusa, a traditional Assamese towel symbolizing respect and love. The Rongali Utsav in Guwahati is a prominent event showcasing the tribal cultures of Assam.  

📍 Celebrations in Jorhat

In Jorhat, Bihu is celebrated with great enthusiasm. The district hosts various cultural programs, including traditional dance performances, music, and community feasts. Local Bihu committees organize events that bring together people of all ages to celebrate the festival's spirit. 

📰 Community Initiatives

In a heartwarming display of community spirit, the Uttar Purbanchal Sanskritik Committee from Lakhimpur district chose to forgo this year's Rongali Bihu celebrations to fund a woman's kidney transplant. The committee redirected all collected festival donations to support Pallabi Gogoi, who has been battling end-stage kidney failure. This act underscores the deep-rooted values of compassion and unity inherent in Bihu celebrations.  

If you're in Assam during Bihu, it's an opportunity to experience the state's rich cultural heritage and the warmth of its people. Whether you're in Jorhat or other parts of the state, the celebrations are sure to leave you with lasting memories.